Love Is The Best Medicine (Stardew Valley - Harvey)

Chapter 40 - Displeasure To Meet You

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Ellsworth." You smiled, a facade of what you were truly feeling inside. Scared of what was to come, you bit your tongue. Were they really as bad as what Harvey had made out? Meeting the mother of someone you care about deeply always carried a certain weight, especially when that someone had painted a less-than-flattering picture of their family dynamics.

"Nice to meet you Evangeline, Louise Ellsworth." She greeted with one eyebrow raised, her demeanour poised yet somewhat guarded. There was a subtle tension in the air, one that was evident with the harsh facial expressions spread across the faces in the room. As you momentarily studied her once more, you couldn't help but notice the faint trace of weariness in her eyes, a weariness that seemed to suggest hidden struggles.

"Father you're awake?" Harvey noticed the weary man open his eyes from his hospital bed. "What's this I hear about a girlfriend?" He spoke, a stern tone despite his disposition. You saw this as your cue to introduce yourself.

"Mr. Ellsworth, it's a pleasure to meet you," you greeted him with a warm smile, trying to mask the unease that lurked beneath the surface. Despite Harvey's rants about his father, you couldn't help but feel a short lived form of sympathy for the man lying frail in the hospital bed.

"Likewise, my dear," Mr. Ellsworth replied in a voice tinged with a hint of theatrical charm, his gaze meeting yours with a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny. Even his voice mimicked 30s Hollywood heartthrobs. You glanced at Harvey for some sort of aid in the conversation but he wasn't looking your way, leaving you to fend for yourself. You grappled for something to say.

"Your son has told me so much about you," you continued, mustering a polite smile as you glanced towards Harvey, who stood by your side with a guarded expression. "He speaks very highly of you." You gestured towards Harvey, hoping he'd finally get the message.

Mr. Ellsworth's lips curved into a sly smile. "Ah, my boy always did have a way with words," he remarked, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "But I'm sure he's spared you the less flattering anecdotes." You giggled awkwardly in response, he had definitely not spared you the less flattering anecdotes. From that comment alone you came to the conclusion that Harveys parents must of known the damage they had done to their son at a young age.

"Regardless," you interjected, your voice steady despite the unease in your chest, "I'm grateful for the opportunity to meet you both, despite the unfortunate circumstances of course..." You exchanged a glance with Harvey, silently conveying your support as he stood beside you, his expression a mix of apprehension and unease. His silent manner was frustrating you, feeling as if you were being left to fend for yourself.

Mrs. Ellsworth nodded in acknowledgment, her gaze drifting towards Harvey before returning to you with a polite smile. So far they had acted somewhat nice to you, they hadn't show any contempt towards your presence- yet. "Sit down dear." She added, prompting you to sit in the chair next to hers. You smiled politely and did what she said. It felt as if you were both walking on egg shells, waiting for one of you to land too heavy footed.

You had also noticed that despite being in his professional environment, Harvey kept his medical talk short and sweet, not sharing his opinions on his fathers health, even though he was in a position to do so.

"So my son, how has life in Pelican Town been?" Mr Ellsworth asked, prompting Harvey to sit down beside him. Harvey took a seat beside his father, his demeanour guarded yet composed. "It's been good, Father," he replied evenly, his gaze meeting his father's with a sense of restraint. "Busy as always, but things are going well at the clinic." You watched from afar, feeling as if you were interjecting with something personal.